Hillary Clinton officially steps down from Secretary of State post with the world 'stronger, safer' place

Outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton waves as she leaves the State Department in Washington, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, for last time as America's top diplomat. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Hillary Clinton's high-profile victory lap as outgoing secretary of state ended warmly Friday when she received a rousing sendoff after telling co-workers they've made "our country and our world stronger, safer, fairer and better."

The Clintons rarely go quietly and Hillary's last day brought boosterish farewell remarks to a packed State Department audience.

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Many snapped smartphone photos of a worldwide celebrity whose polling numbers now exceed those of President Obama.

"Because of your efforts, day after day, we are making a real difference," she said. "I hope you will redouble your efforts to show why diplomacy and development are right up there with defense."

Clinton had earlier sent a letter of gratitude to Obama, who defeated her in the tough 2008 Democratic presidential primary campaign. Shortly after her State Department goodbye, Sen. John Kerry was sworn in as her successor.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) shakes hands with Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Tomas Nides after delivering her farewell address to the staff in the C Street lobby of the State Department in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Her last week included a series of major interviews, including an unusual joint appearance with Obama on "60 Minutes."

They only enhanced her standing, given popularity ratings far exceeding anyone now considered a possible presidential contender in 2016. She said she was "not inclined" to run, but she did not rule it out, either.

She departs leaving her many supporters craving one more campaign. No surprise, two political action committees have surfaced that promote the idea of a run for the White House.

"I will miss you," she said in her extemporaneous farewell remarks Friday. "I will probably be dialing OPS just to talk," drawing laughs as she alluded to the department's 24-hour operations center.